Leading Systems Change in Public Health: A Field Guide for Practitioners is the first resource written by public health professionals for public health professionals on how to improve public health by utilizing a systems change lens. Edited by leaders from the de Beaumont Foundation and the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health with chapters written by a diverse array of public health leaders, the book provides an evidence-based framework with practical strategies, processes, and tools for enacting meaningful change. Complete with engaging stories and tips to illustrate concepts in action, this book is the essential guide for current and future public health leaders working across and within individual, team, organization, or community levels.The book addresses subjects such as change leadership, racial justice and power sharing, and readiness for change. It addresses best practices for enacting change at different levels, including at the personal, interpersonal, organizational, and team or cross-sector level and it describes the factors, personalities, skills, personnel, and culture required for leading complex change. It not only covers the process of leading systems change but also the importance of community organizing and coalition building, identifying a shared understanding of the problem, how to leverage the lessons of implementation science, and how to understand the relationship between sustainability and public health. Practical examples and stories highlight challenges and opportunities, systems change in action, and the importance of crisis leadership - from mental health services to lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Features: Enables practitioners to improve public health by utilizing a systems change approach Applies systems change strategies to help discover solutions for improved community health equity and racial justice Integrates practical public health examples and stories from innovative leaders in the field Includes tools for how to implement internal processes that generate creative and effective system change leadership

The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for health professionals to communicate more clearly about what public health is and why it matters. Public health in the United States has been underfunded, undervalued, and misunderstood largely because of the unclear and inconsistent way health leaders talk about it. Talking Health is intended to help public health and allied professionals communicate about public health more effectively - whether they need to reach policymakers, community partners, the media, or the public. Many people who are trained in medicine or public health have never had to "sell" ideas or policies to uninformed or skeptical partners, but the insights, tools, and resources included in this book can provide a first step toward better communications and stronger partnerships. This book is based on original research and insights by social scientists and seasoned communications professionals at the FrameWorks Institute and Hattaway Communications. It provides practical tools such as tested messaging and effective metaphors to help professionals avoid messages that backfire, answer challenging questions, reframe public health assumptions, and draw on the power of anecdotes while sharing important data. Drawing together leading experts across media and public health, Talking Health is a practical and powerful starting point for those ready to change how public health is viewed and valued in our nation.